Black Freshmen GOP Lawmakers Chart Different Courses on the Issue of Race

(The Hill) — Congress’s two incoming black Republican members have charted different courses so far on the issue of race — though neither seems entirely interested in carrying the mantle of diversity for the GOP.  As the first African-American Republicans in Congress since 2003, Reps.-elect Allen West (R-Fla.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) find themselves, by default, under a spotlight as they join a conference that has largely lacked diversity.  The media have tracked both new lawmakers’ decisions on whether to join the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), but neither West nor Scott believe their decision on that issue or other matters of race should draw the attention they have.

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